A drawing board. As gym equipment goes, it’s a bit unorthodox.
But in this, the season of squeaky-clean trainers and good intentions, I’m reminded why I draw when I’m not working on projects: skills need exercise too.
I go to life drawing as a dancer does class. It’s difficult. I have to understand anatomy; pay attention to balance; sum up a short or dynamic pose at high speed; read the lighting; pick up the character of the model’s work. I learn from others working in different media and styles, at different scales. I hear recommendations of things to see.
Looking, taking in, noticing things – these are at the heart of the work I do with design clients, on location for live illustration, on investigative drawing and in creative direction.
So let’s hear it for limbering up with a pencil.
See my drawing feed on Instagram: @lydiathornley
